Fiat increases its production capacity in China for the arrival of new models
- The joint venture between GAC (Guangzhou Automotive Corporation) and Fiat-Chrysler currently has one plant in China, located in Changsha (Hunan province of China), with a capacity of 140 000 units a year.
- The Viaggio compact sedan is the only model currently produced on site. The Viaggio hasn't yet meet its expected success. Indeed, less than 32 000 units were sold in China in the first nine months of the year. This corresponds to an annual rate of less than 50 000 units in a market of about 20 million units. A second model will be produced on this plant, the new SUV Jeep Cherokee, planned for late 2014 / early 2015 (90 000 units a year).
- However, Fiat-Chrysler maintains its goal of 500 000 sales in China in 2015. To achieve this, the joint venture expects the arrival of new models, requiring it to increase its production capacity in China.
- In this objective, a second plant (located in Guangzhou) with a production capacity of 160 000 vehicles per year is currently under construction. It will produce off-road vehicles from the Fiat brand, models from the GAC brand as well as electric vehicles whose brand has not been specified. It could be a new brand dedicated to this type of vehicle, such as other brands that already exist in China.
